04 January 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to China Mrs. Erlinda F. Basilio led Philippine Embassy personnel and guests in commemorating the 119th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal on 30 December 2015 at the Sentro Rizal Beijing. The activity was attended by about 60 participants comprised of Filipino students in Beijing, Chinese students enrolled in the Philippine Studies program of Peking University, as well as guests from Beijing Foreign Studies University and China Radio International (CRI).
The solemn tribute to Dr. Rizal began with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and a floral offering at the bust of Dr. Rizal by Ambassador Basilio, assisted by Deputy Chief of Mission Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq.
The commemoration was highlighted by a reading by Embassy officials, Chinese students of Peking University’s Philippine Studies program, CRI and Filipino students in Beijing of one of Dr. Rizal’s important works, the poem “Sa Kabataang Pilipino,“ as translated from the original version in Spanish entitled “A La Juventud Filipina,” and the Embassy’ continuing “Pagsulat-Kamay” project, wherein guests at Sentro Rizal Beijing are asked to inscribe by longhand the works of Dr. Rizal on special scrolls as part of the Embassy’s vision to build a collection of hand-scripted scrolls at the Sentro Rizal Beijing.
Following the recitation of Dr. Rizal’s poem, Ambassador Basilio led Embassy personnel and guests in inscribing the poem “Sa Kabataang Pilipino” on special scrolls in their own handwriting. These scrolls will be added to a hand-scripted scroll featuring Dr. Rizal’s “Ang Huling Paalam” which guests inscribed during the 2014 Rizal Day commemoration.
Specifically addressing the students in her opening remarks, Ambassador Basilio expressed hope that, as the poem “Sa Kabataang Pilipino” speaks of Dr. Rizal’s patriotic feelings for his country, young people will take to heart its meaning and apply its significance to their thoughts and aspirations for their country.
The Ambassador said that the mandate to establish a Sentro Rizal at the NCCA and overseas branches under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 is a recognition of the pulling power of Dr. Rizal based on the belief that generation after generation of men and women of principle committed to the ideals of peace, unity and justice are nurtured, instructed and formed using the building blocks of the arts, culture, the classics and science.
Ambassador Basilio also urged the audience, especially the young people, to always strive to live up to Dr. Rizal’s exemplars of bravery, tenacity and conviction and to acknowledge our responsibility as Filipinos to lead lives of integrity and courage. The Ambassador said that, in so doing, the youth honors heroes like Dr. Rizal and their service to the causes of unity and freedom by promoting peace for the next generations of young people. END